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There is no doubt that the instruction imparted must tend to produce a better
condition in this particular branch of Industrial art, which at the present time is
debased to the very greatest possible extent.
Many of the Students have gained Artisan Scholarships at the recent
Competitive examinations. Mr. Walter Crane, who judged the work sent in for
competition to the London County Council Education Board, in a public speech spoke
of the beautiful treatment of a piece of work executed by a Student of this class.
But by far the greatest testimony bearing on the value of this Instruction, is the
great praise accorded to the productions by Master Cabinet Makers, who have seen the
Schools at work.
Owing to the great increase in the numbers attending, it was found necessary to
inaugurate another class.
An Assistant Instructor was appointed, in the person of Mr. A. Gardner, another
of our own trained Students, and the extra class was started on Wednesday Evening.
The results, both in attendance, and also in the work generally, are highly
satisfactory, and reflect the greatest credit on the Instructors.
CABINET MAKING AND JOINERY.
Instructor : Mr. W. SIM.
Under the very able guidance of the Instructor, this class has been accomplishing
very excellent work during the past year.
Owing to the fact of increased accommodation a larger workshop was given over
to this branch of Instruction, and an increased complement of five benches was able to
be added.
This was absolutely necessary when we consider the increased numbers attending
the class.
The increase in numbers is mainly owing to the fact that the artisan of the neighbourhood
is finding out that he can improve his position by a greater knowledge of his
craft obtainable at the school.
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Several of the students, who on admission were only working at the roughest work
in some of the surrounding shops, have profited by the instruction to such an extent
that they are now employed by some of the best cabinet shops in the West.
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Thus we can see that the work accomplished in the class is of a first rate quality,
and we can claim that we are serving the needs of the artisan in the way we advocate,
by lifting him out of the dead level of unskilled labour, and placing him in a much more
useful and lucrative sphere of work.
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